Belgian GP Friday Sauber notes

Pedro Diniz and Mika Salo finished in 14th and 18th places respectively after today`s first free practice sessions for the Belgian Grand Prix.

Note: Peter Sauber is absent from a Grand Prix for the first time since 1994 as he is recuperating from a minor operation on his shoulder.

Pedro Diniz:
It`s been a difficult day, trying to find a good balance. I was struggling quite a lot with oversteer for most of the time, but when we put on a new set of tyres it changed the car completely. It felt better, but I had understeer instead. We just didn`t get the handling tuned in.

Mika Salo:
I had a big balance problem in both sessions, and new tyres just didn`t seem to make any difference on my car. I had everything I didn`t want - oversteer, understeer - and it was all very difficult. Tonight we need to have a big rethink about set-up, and start again from zero tomorrow.

Willy Rampf:
Both cars had the same problem today; they were quite nervous at high speed. On the positive side we were able to do a lot of mileage on a single set of tyres, but we need to go through the data very carefully now to identify the best way of optimising our new aerodynamic package. The trouble with Spa is that it has some specific areas, such as Eau Rouge or Blanchimont, that it is just impossible to simulate in testing elsewhere.